Firms face fines for workers' road offences

摘要

EMPLOYERS could face prosecution if their employees use mobile phones or break the speed limit while driving commercial vehicles, under a new scheme being piloted in London. Under the Freight Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS), police will visit companies whose employees are caught committing driving-related offences in commercial vans and lorries, and employers who fail to ensure employees observe road safety laws will face action and fines under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit (CVEU) officers will ask employers about their safe-driving policies and how they intend to prevent illegal driving in future. They will offer advice, and provide details of organisations that can help employers to improve employee driving standards. The police will work with the HSE and companies that fail to cooperate could be issued with improvement notices. Companies that still fail to comply risk prosecution.